DVX-100a Timecode not viewable on other camcorders

lasondas

lasondas

Member
I bought a Panasonic PV-GS9 as a cheap deck to Capture on FCP footage filmed on my DVX-100a, thinking that by using a Panasonic camcorder, I would avoid any of the problems that come with our complex digital systems.

How naive can I be? Any tape (whether TDK or Pany MQ) that I filmed on with my DVX-100a does not show timecode on the PV-GS9, and thus I can't capture. If I put tape from another camcorder or from a Sony DVX-2000 (the only examples I have), I see timecode no problem on the camcorder, and I can capture as usual.

Why does the PV-GS9 not read timecode from the DVX-100a, and is there a way I can get it to read that timecode? Is there a setting on the DVX-100a that I'm missing to allow it's timecode to be viewed by other camcorders?

Thanks,

Art
Lydecker Films
 
Hi Art

I too once bought a Panasonic camera to use as a cheap deck. Can't remember the model number any more, but it wouldn't read the timecode from the DVX.

I rang Panasonic and they told me that none of their cameras would read timecode recorded on other Panasonic cameras! I found this quite extraordinary, and returned the camera for a Sony which reads the code with no problem.

I thought that the problem might have been confined to the PAL range though, because I'm sure that I've read other posts on this forum from US members who are using cheap Panasonics as decks, with no problems with the timecode. Perhaps one of them can point you in the right direction, but if not - try a cheap Sony.
 
I use a PanasonicNV-DS55 as a deck & it reads time code & captures OK. It is PAL. The advantage I found was the interchangability of batteries, I also have two chargers. It is a few yeaRS OLD, MAYBE IT IS A THING WITH NEWER MODELS. Can't see the sence in making different models non compatible!
 
Thanks for that strange information. As Nirimba said, I was nice to have two chargers, interchangeable batteries, but if it don't work, fix it. Ah, the things we learn.

The biggest thing I worried about is the Pany MQ tapes vs. other ones (the whole "wet vs. dry" thing I don't understand either), but now thinking about it, as long as I only run the MQ in the deck (camcorder), there should be no problem.

Thanks again for getting me on my way.
 
I honestly think that only the newer Panasonic cams have this problem. I use an old DV-53 and have no timecode problems whatsoever.
 
I have read somewhere on this forum that Canon cams have problems with Final Cut Pro, so if you're a mac user, maybe steer clear of Canon as well.
 
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